The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, has announced the revocation of mineral titles of 1,633 holders with a stern warning to the former title holders to vacate all affected cadastres immediately.
According to him, security agencies, in collaboration with the Mines Inspectorate of the Ministry, have been authorised to apprehend any defaulter found in the areas where titles have been revoked.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday evening, Alake explained that the mineral titles were revoked due to the holders’ failure to pay the prescribed annual service fees on time.
He said despite a 30-day default notice from the Mining Cadastre Office, the holders were found in violation and non-compliance with their statutory obligations to the government.